Whale fins and cow udders, wasp appendages and gecko feet – just some of the natural phenomena that have inspired technological innovation over the years. The field, known as biomimicry or biomimetics, has already given us well-known practical applications, such as cats’ eyes for the road and Velcro for our fastenings. But more recent examples include superstrong mini-robots and prototype surgical needles. Evolution has had hundreds millions of years to perfect its designs, whereas engineering…